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Irene Sankoff Headshot

BIO

Irene Sankoff and David Hein are a Canadian married writing team. Their first show, My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding (based on David’s mother’s true story) was the hit of the Toronto Fringe Festival, and then picked up for a commercial run by Mirvish Productions. It has now played and won best musical awards in the New York Musical Theatre Festival and across North America, with Sankoff and Hein performing in most productions. Come From Away was developed at the Canadian Music Theatre Project and Goodspeed Musicals’ Festival of New Artists, showcased at the NAMT Festival of New Works and enjoyed a record setting world premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory, followed by Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto and the Gander Community Centre Hockey Rink. Come From Away won three 2017 Dora Mavor Moore Awards, four Helen Hayes Awards, five Outer Critics Circle Awards and three Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical. David and Irene were nominated for Tony® Awards for Best Book and Score and won the 2017 Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk awards for Best Book. Irene and David are proud members of the Dramatists Guild and ASCAP. Immeasurable thanks to all of Molly’s People, to everyone who helped us on this journey and to our extraordinary friends from Away and in Newfoundland for inspiring and trusting us to tell your story.

Photos

Productions

 
[West End, 2021] [Replacement]
Book, Music, Lyrics[Replacement]
 
[US Tour, 2018] [Replacement]
Book, Music, Lyrics[Replacement]

Writing

Book, Music, and Lyrics

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Irene Sankoff, Come From Away

Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Lyrics

Irene Sankoff, Come From Away

Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Music

Irene Sankoff, Come From Away


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Irene Sankoff, Come From Away

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2017 - Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Irene Sankoff, Come From Away

Tony Awards - 2017 - Best Book of a Musical

Irene Sankoff, Come From Away

Tony Awards - 2017 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Irene Sankoff, Come From Away

Videos

News

Interview: Director and Choreographer Keith Andrews On COME FROM AWAY at The Gateway Playhouse
by Joshua Wright - Jul 15, 2026

Director and choreographer Keith Andrews discusses staging COME FROM AWAY at The Gateway Playhouse, running August 7 through September 6, 2026, just weeks before the 25th anniversary of September 11.
42ND STREET to Open at Sharon Playhouse This Summer
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 9, 2026

Sharon Playhouse will present 42ND STREET, directed by Artistic Director Carl Andress, featuring tap dancing, iconic songs, and the story of a young chorus girl chasing her Broadway dreams.
VINDOS DE LONGE (Come From Away) Lands at Teatro Ruth Escobar, With Heart, Humor, and Hope
by Claudio Erlichman - Jul 8, 2026

COME FROM AWAY arrives at São Paulo's historic Teatro Ruth Escobar in a moving new Brazilian production that marks the reopening of the venue's Sala Dina Sfat. Based on the extraordinary true events following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the acclaimed musical tells the story of the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, whose residents welcomed nearly 6,700 stranded airline passengers after dozens of flights were diverted to Canada. Directed by Rafael Gomes, the production combines minimalist staging, an outstanding ensemble cast, and a richly textured folk-inspired score to celebrate compassion, resilience, and the extraordinary power of community. Heartfelt, uplifting, and deeply relevant, Come From Away reminds audiences that even in humanity's darkest moments, kindness can become the greatest act of heroism.
Mariska Hargitay to Perform EVERY BRILLIANT THING at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 6, 2026

Mariska Hargitay will kick off TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's 23rd Annual New Works Festival, performing in a benefit presentation of Every Brilliant Thing.
RAGTIME, COME FROM AWAY & More Set for Village Theatre 2026-27 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 1, 2026

Village Theatre has announced creative leadership teams for its upcoming Mainstage season, featuring Broadway veterans and award-winning directors helming RAGTIME, COME FROM AWAY, DEAR EVAN HANSEN, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, and the world premiere of LOVE IS DEAD.
1776, COME FROM AWAY & More Lead Maine Theatre Summer Picks
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jun 30, 2026

Though for many residents and folks from away, summer in Maine signifies a chance to revel in gorgeous scenery - beaches, lakes, trails – summer is also time to enjoy two of Maine’s premiere regional companies, Maine State Music Theatre and Ogunquit Playhouse.(see Dan Marois’ review below)  This year the lineups at both companies are stellar, but my critic’s pick for 2026 are two productions at Maine State Music Theatre in Brunswick:  the musical 1776 (now playing through July 11) and COME FROM AWAY scheduled for August 5-22 at the Pickard Theater on the campus of Bowdoin College.
Review: MAD Theatre of Tampa's COME FROM AWAY at the Shimberg Playhouse
by Peter Nason - Jun 28, 2026

In a coup for MAD Theatre of Tampa, their company is the first community theatre in Florida to present this incredibly moving and heartfelt musical.
Previews: COME FROM AWAY Launches Dezart Performs’ Season 19
by Kay Kudukis - Jun 18, 2026

Dezart Performs’ launches its 2026-2027 Season with the Tony Award-winning musical COME FROM AWAY, featuring book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, running November 18-December 6, 2026. The season launch coincides with the completion of Phase Two of the adaptive re-use transformation of its Palm Springs home from a former church into the Dezart Playhouse at 605 S. Riverside Drive, Palm Springs.  
PCPA Announces Summer Season Featuring COME FROM AWAY, Disney's FROZEN And More
by Marissa Faith Curley - Jun 13, 2026

This summer, PCPA invites audiences to enjoy a season of inspiring true stories, family-friendly adventures, and memorable music. Experience the triumph of Come From Away, the magic of Frozen, the excitement of Luchadora!, and the energy of Beehive.
Video: COME FROM AWAY Set Timelapse at Guthrie Theater
by Robert Diamond - Jun 12, 2026

A timelapse video from the Guthrie Theater captures the McGuire Proscenium Stage being transformed into Gander, Newfoundland for its current production of COME FROM AWAY.
COME FROM AWAY Trailer Released Ahead of Guthrie Theater Run
by Robert Diamond - Jun 12, 2026

The Guthrie Theater posted a new trailer for COME FROM AWAY, the musical based on the true story of a small Newfoundland town that sheltered thousands of travelers after 9/11. The show runs through August 9.
Video: COME FROM AWAY Sitzprobe at Guthrie Theater Features 'Welcome to the Rock'
by Robert Diamond - Jun 12, 2026

The Guthrie Theater shared sitzprobe footage from its production of COME FROM AWAY, capturing the cast performing 'Welcome to the Rock' with the orchestra for the first time.
Review: COME FROM AWAY at Guthrie Theater
by Joe Sarafolean - Jun 14, 2026

What did our critic think of COME FROM AWAY at Guthrie Theater?
COME FROM AWAY Trailer Released Ahead of Theatre Calgary Season Finale
by Robert Diamond - Jun 7, 2026

Theatre Calgary released the official trailer for COME FROM AWAY, closing its season with the Sankoff and Hein musical. Jesse Robb directs a 12-person cast led by Mark Bellamy and Andy Cohen.
National Jewish Playwriting Contest Finals to Make Philadelphia Debut
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 3, 2026

The Jewish Plays Project and the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History will present the 15th National Jewish Playwriting Contest Finals in Philadelphia, with audiences voting to select the winning play from three finalists.
Feature: Sitzprobe of COME FROM AWAY at Guthrie Theater
by Joe Sarafolean - May 30, 2026

The summer season is upon us and that means a slew of new shows are scheduled to open in the coming weeks here in the Twin Cities. One of the most anticipated being the Guthrie Theater’s production of the 2017 Broadway hit, Come From Away.
42ND STREET, COME FROM AWAY & More Set for Sharon Playhouse's 2026 Season
by A.A. Cristi - May 28, 2026

Sharon Playhouse announced casting for its 2026 season, featuring SWINGTIME CANTEEN, 42ND STREET, COME FROM AWAY, a full YouthStage season, and special events including THE DIVINE SISTER starring Charles Busch.
Cast Set for COME FROM AWAY at Guthrie Theater This Summer
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 26, 2026

The Guthrie Theater has revealed the cast and creative team for its upcoming production of Come From Away, by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, directed by Kent Gash.
COME FROM AWAY and More Set For Segal Centre 2026-2027 Theatre Season
by Stephi Wild - May 26, 2026

The Segal Centre for Performing Arts announced its upcoming theatre season. The lineup will include Come From Away, The Secret Chord: A Leonard Cohen Experience, It Came From Outer Space, and more.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 18, 2026- Joshua Henry, MEXODUS and More Win Drama League Awards
by - May 18, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is May 18, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Irene Sankoff written?

Irene Sankoff has written 1 shows including Come From Away (Book, Music, and Lyrics).

What awards has Irene Sankoff been nominated for?

Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Come From Away, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Come From Away, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Come From Away, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Come From Away, Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Come From Away, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Come From Away and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Come From Away.

What awards has Irene Sankoff won?

Irene Sankoff has won the following awards: Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Come From Away, and Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, also for Come From Away.

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